Six international artists have work featured in the newest exhibition at the New Media Gallery.
The Anvil Centre gallery has just opened Germinal, featuring the works of Americans Matthew Suib and Nadia Hironaka, Spanish artists Santiago Lara and Beatriz Coto, and a team of Suhee Kim of Korea and Oliver Smith of the U.K.
“All the works in this exhibition imagine the formation of hybrid bodies, words and languages,” a write-up about the show says. “They touch on transformation, revolutionary change and potential futures.”
Hironaka and Suib’s Soft Epic” or Savages of the Pacific West is a five-screen panorama set in what appears to be the historic heart of Los Angeles, in which a city is collapsing and returning to its wild origins and hybrid animal-humans are in the process of transformation and taking control.
In Animalium: La Pesadilla de Narcisso, Lara and Coto have created a multi-part installation that invites the viewer to “become animal” – as a 3D wireframe portrait of the spectator is captured through the intelligent camera and projected in real time, the spectator mimics the sound of an animal and the portrait becomes increasingly animal.
Hybrid Words 1, by Kim and Smith, is based on language growth and potential futures, using computer-generated and real-time video collection to have words move on the screen like living things. “Some words collide, others won’t. When they do collide, they create ‘nuclear fission’ and hybridize,” notes the write-up.
Intrigued? How can you not be? Stop by the New Media Gallery at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., to check it out. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, with late-evening opening until 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
See www.newmediagallery.ca.
SHORT STORY WORKSHOP
Writers, get a little help with your short story techniques at an upcoming workshop from the Royal City Literary Arts Society.
Writer Margo Prentice is leading a three-hour short story writing workshop on Saturday, April 16. She’ll look at what a short story is, examine structure and technique, explore online resources for publishing short stories and talk about how to format them for submission.
There will be writing exercises and a chance to share. The workshop runs 2 to 5 p.m. at the MLA’s office at 737 Sixth St. (use rear entrance). It costs $15 for members and $25 for non-members, and you must pre-register by emailing [email protected].
Check out www.rclas.com for more details.
POETIC JUSTICE
Love poetry? Don’t forget about the ongoing Poetic Justice reading series.
Sunday’s session features poets Juliane Okot Bitek and Timothy Shay, plus an open mike. It runs from 3 to 5 p.m., and doors open at 2:45 p.m. Arrive early to get a seat.
The fun takes place at the Boston Pizza at Columbia Square. Check out www.poeticjusticenewwest.org for more details.
CHORAL CONCERT SET
Organ, panflutes and voices are joining forces for an upcoming concert at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church.
The Gloria Dei Chorale, under the direction of Betty Ann Vroom, is presenting a concert along with organist André Knevel and Liselotte on panflutes.
It’s on Wednesday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m., and admission is by donation.
The church is at 8255 13th Ave. in Burnaby.
ART EXPLORES THE NATURAL WORLD
Art lovers can explore the world of nature through semi-abstract paintings in an upcoming exhibition at the Amelia Douglas Gallery.
Rhythms and Energy of Nature runs April 21 to June 11 at the gallery, featuring work by Madelyn Hamilton. An opening reception is set for Thursday, April 21 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with live music, refreshments and a no-host bar.
In a write-up about the show, Hamilton notes that the natural world is always the focus of her work.
"When looking out at my wilderness ravine, with bears and coyotes as inhabitants, I absorb the colour, energy and rhythms of that landscape inwardly, indelibly,” she says. “I am profoundly affected by the visual folds, shapes and highly textured or abrasive marks of my vast natural surrounds. That includes the marks of all living things, many of which are visible only when one takes the time to look.”
The gallery is on the fourth floor north at Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave. It`s open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is free.
MUSICAL THEATRE TEST DRIVE
You can test drive a new car and show your support for musical theatre.
Royal City Musical Theatre is hosting a Drive a Ford fundraiser on Saturday, April 23 from noon to 7 p.m. Key West Ford will be on hand with eight cars parked on the east side of the Massey Theatre starting at noon.
For every person who fills out a short survey and test drives the vehicle around the block, the theatre company receives a $20 from Ford Canada.
Drop by, or book a preferred time slot ahead by emailing [email protected].
PATRICK STREET FUNDRAISER
Here’s another one for those who’d like to support musical theatre – this time in the form of Patrick Street Productions.
The New West-based theatre company, which has a mission to bring professional productions of contemporary musicals to the Metro Vancouver stage, is holding a Taste of Italy fundraiser on Wednesday, May 11.
The evening is set to take place at Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Dr., and will include a three-course Italian meal plus entertainment by an array of up-and-coming artists. It costs $75 per person, with a $25 donation receipt.
Check out www.patrickstreetproductions.com for details (including a sneak peek at the menu), or email [email protected] to book.
(A word of warning: Don’t look at the menu if you’re hungry. I did, and now I’m busy thinking about Pollo al Mattone and Salame di Cioccolato. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)
GALLERY SESSIONS RETURNS
Live music lovers, have you stopped in on a Gallery Sessions evening yet?
The Gallery at Queen’s Park is hosting monthly live music nights on Wednesdays.
Coming up on April 27, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., it’s Danger Bay. The group is described as “a five-piece musical hybridization lab that brings together numerous influences in an effort to create catchy, sophisticated songs and keep all of its members amused.”
Its current sound is jazz and R&B-infused – check them out at dangerbay.bandcamp.com.
The Gallery Sessions nights are held on a pay-what-you-can basis, with suggested donations of up to $7 per person. Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for more.
CULTURAL ROUNDTABLE SET
Love the arts? Want to figure out how to help make them a part of daily life in New Westminster?
The next meeting of the New Westminster Cultural Roundtable is happening on Thursday, April 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.
It’s a free community event that’s designed to encourage people to break down the “silos” in the arts community and to bring together folks with an interest in and a passion for the arts. It’s open to everyone – you just have to register ahead at www.artscouncilnewwest.org/new-westminster-cultural-roundtable/.
The meeting takes place at the Anvil Centre, Room 411 (fourth floor), 777 Columbia St.
ART VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Would you like to make a difference to New West’s arts community?
The Arts Council of New Westminster has a call out for volunteers to serve on a special project committee working on Canada 150/ACNW 50 – that is, the 150th anniversary of Canada and the 50th anniversary of the Arts Council of New Westminster.
The work would be for a two-year term. For a full run-down of committee expectations and details, check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org under News, or call 604-525-3244.
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment suggestions to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
